After Differentiation, I Marked My Arch-nemesis - Chapter 3

When Jiang Youli left the office, the second class was just beginning.

If she hadn’t promised not to like Lu Yaoyi anymore just to avoid listening to Tan Yushan, he probably would have lectured her for another half hour.

She didn’t expect Tan Yushan to believe her. She knew perfectly well why he would trust Lu Yaoyi over her.

Anyway, she never liked Lu Yaoyi in the first place. Wearing the hat of “liking Lu Yaoyi” in front of Tan Yushan didn’t bother her at all.

All the teachers’ offices at Jiangcheng No. 1 High School were in the administrative building, but the homeroom teachers of each class had their own private office. As Jiang Youli walked out of the building, she saw Cen Ziqin and Shen Yichuan waiting for her by a nearby flower bed.

Cen Ziqin and Shen Yichuan were her good friends since the first year of middle school.

However, they had never been in the same class.

And they weren’t in the same class for high school either.

Cen Ziqin was in Class 1-2, and Shen Yichuan was in Class 1-5.

In the last few days of the final exams in middle school, both Cen Ziqin and Shen Yichuan had differentiated into Alphas.

Jiang Youli, being an undifferentiated Beta, couldn’t sense the Alpha’s aura or their innate aggressive presence. However, she could see a visible change in Cen Ziqin and Shen Yichuan’s auras; they had become much stronger.

Especially Cen Ziqin, who had differentiated into a high-level female Alpha. After a summer apart, Cen Ziqin had grown a lot taller and was now almost catching up to Jiang Youli, who was 170 cm.

Cen Ziqin and Shen Yichuan saw Jiang Youli walking out of the building.

They waved at her.

“A-You.”

Jiang Youli walked over and asked, “What are you two doing here?”

“A-You,” Cen Ziqin said with a face full of surprise, “what’s going on with you?”

Jiang Youli didn’t quite understand. “What do you mean ‘what’s going on’?”

Cen Ziqin said, “I heard you forced yourself on Lu Yaoyi during the summer?”

Jiang Youli was confused. “Huh?”

What the hell!

“What do you mean ‘I forced myself on Lu Yaoyi’?” Jiang Youli asked, looking at Cen Ziqin with a mix of speechlessness and confusion. “Cen Ziqin, don’t talk nonsense.”

How could she possibly force herself on Lu Yaoyi?

It was absolutely ridiculous.

Cen Ziqin said, “A-You, I’m not talking nonsense.”

She grabbed Jiang Youli’s arm and pulled her forward. “The whole school is spreading rumors that you forced yourself on Lu Yaoyi over the summer. I only found out after hearing from others. If you don’t believe me, ask Chuan Chuan.”

Jiang Youli was speechless.

She suppressed her anger and looked at Shen Yichuan with a mixture of disbelief and trust.

Shen Yichuan shrugged. “That’s why we came to the administrative building to wait for you.”

Jiang Youli was already in a terrible mood after being annoyed by Lu Yaoyi this morning, and now hearing these baseless rumors made her blood boil. “Who the hell is spreading these rumors? I’ll knock their teeth out.”

“I don’t know, but the whole school is talking about you and Lu Yaoyi…” Cen Ziqin trailed off, giving Jiang Youli a cautious look. She knew better than anyone what the relationship between Jiang Youli and Lu Yaoyi was like. “Chuan Chuan and I, of course, believe you would never force yourself on Lu Yaoyi. So what’s really going on, A-You?”

Jiang Youli moved her lips as if to speak, but hesitated. “Let’s go to the rooftop to talk.”

Cen Ziqin said, “Okay, let’s go.”

The three of them ignored the fact that class was in session and went to the school’s rooftop.

Jiang Youli indignantly recounted the whole story, emphasizing that she had not sexually harassed Lu Yaoyi and certainly hadn’t forced herself on her. Every word she spoke was to express just how much she disliked Lu Yaoyi.

After she finished, she suddenly realized something and grew even angrier the more she thought about it. She asked Cen Ziqin and Shen Yichuan, “What do you think Lu Yaoyi meant? When she said I was an undifferentiated, underdeveloped Beta, was she looking down on me? Was she showing off that she had differentiated into an S-class Omega?”

Cen Ziqin looked at the immature scent gland on the back of Jiang Youli’s neck.

Then she said thoughtfully, “I think that’s a possibility.”

Omegas were already a rare species, and Lu Yaoyi had now differentiated into an even rarer S-class Omega. Cen Ziqin thought it was highly likely that Lu Yaoyi was showing off to Jiang Youli. Why wouldn’t she, when Jiang Youli was always bullying her and looking for trouble? If she were Lu Yaoyi, she would show off to Jiang Youli, too.

It was strange, though.

Jiang Youli obviously hated Lu Yaoyi to the core.

Yet she was always picking on her.

Sometimes, Cen Ziqin couldn’t understand why Jiang Youli did what she did.

“What’s even more infuriating is that I told her I wouldn’t be interested in her even if I was just a Beta in a Beta-Beta relationship, and she said ‘that’s for the best’,” Jiang Youli said, with her hands on her hips, fuming. “What did she mean? Does she think I’d be interested in her?”

Cen Ziqin said, “That’s what it sounded like.”

Shen Yichuan said, “I think so, too.”

Jiang Youli was speechless.

“And she even told Teacher Tan that I liked her,” Jiang Youli complained angrily. “If I liked her, you can write my name backward!”

“Oh, A-You, don’t be mad at Lu Yaoyi anymore. Won’t you be differentiating into an Omega?” Cen Ziqin walked over to Jiang Youli and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “If you’re going to be interested in anyone, it should be Alphas like me and Chuan Chuan.”

Jiang Youli glanced at Cen Ziqin and Shen Yichuan.

Shen Yichuan very confidently patted his chest as if to say, I’m ready.

Cen Ziqin and Shen Yichuan were the type of beautiful Alphas who could charm and captivate Omegas and Betas with just a look. But Jiang Youli wasn’t interested in either of them, not even if she differentiated into an Omega later.

“Forget it,” Jiang Youli said. “I’m not interested in either of you.”

Cen Ziqin sighed regretfully. “That’s a shame…”

Shen Yichuan suddenly asked, “A-You, you should be differentiating soon, right?”

In this world, everyone is born a Beta and differentiates into an Alpha or Omega at the age of sixteen. Not having differentiated yet means you’re still a Beta.

Of course, there were also special cases of late differentiation.

“I had another physical exam last month, and the report says I’ll probably differentiate next month,” Jiang Youli said, suddenly pushing Cen Ziqin away and taking a step back. “From now on, we’ll have to keep our distance, since you’re an Alpha and I’ll be an Omega.”

Cen Ziqin said, “What do you mean, ‘keep our distance’?”

She pounced and hugged Jiang Youli tightly. “A-You, I can’t believe someone as cool and tough as you is going to be an Omega. You’ll probably be the coolest Omega at Jiangcheng No. 1 High School. Even if you become an Omega, I’m still going to cling to you.”

Jiang Youli was so exasperated she just let Cen Ziqin hug her.

“I’ll let you hug me for a little longer while I’m still undifferentiated.”

Once she differentiated into an Omega, she and Cen Ziqin and Shen Yichuan would have to maintain a proper distance, as Alphas and Omegas are naturally attracted to each other.

Shen Yichuan looked at Jiang Youli and called out, “A-You.”

Jiang Youli said, “Huh?”

Shen Yichuan asked, “Do you think you might also differentiate into an S-class Omega?”

When Jiang Youli heard Shen Yichuan’s words, the pent-up frustration and competitive spirit in her heart suddenly surged. Lu Yaoyi was showing off that she had differentiated into an S-class Omega, right? Well, she had to be stronger than Lu Yaoyi. “Forget S-class Omega. I’m going to differentiate into a higher-level Omega than Lu Yaoyi.”

Hearing this, Cen Ziqin suddenly said something to dampen her spirits.

“But S-class is the highest level.”

“I don’t care. I have to step on Lu Yaoyi and grind her into the dirt. I have to become a more popular Omega than Lu Yaoyi,” Jiang Youli said with a fierce scowl. “I have to one-up Lu Yaoyi to get rid of this hatred in my heart.”

The second class ended.

Tan Yushan waited for the subject teacher to leave before walking into Class 1-1 to clarify that Jiang Youli had not sexually harassed Lu Yaoyi. After all, he couldn’t let the students misunderstand something Jiang Youli didn’t do, especially something as serious as sexual harassment.

He stood on the podium, about to speak.

Just then, the classroom broadcast suddenly came on, and Jiang Youli’s voice was heard.

“Hello? Hello?”

Jiang Youli’s clear, pleasant voice echoed through the school’s broadcast system.

“Hello, this is Jiang Youli from Class 1-1.”

“I heard some people are spreading rumors about me and Lu Yaoyi? Anyone with a brain knows what crime it is to harm an Omega. If I hear anyone spreading these ridiculous rumors again, I will tear their mouth off.”

Whether they are a minor or an adult, an Alpha or Beta who harms or violates an Omega is guilty of a crime, so age is not a reason to let a criminal go.

Suppressants also became an indispensable item for Alphas.

“And I will sue them. Try me and see if I’ll let it go.”

With that, Jiang Youli turned off the broadcast.

Now that felt much better.

Only a static noise came from the broadcast before it went silent.

Class 1-1 was in an uproar, and everyone’s eyes fell on Lu Yaoyi.

Lu Yaoyi lowered her eyes, showing no expression.

Tan Yushan was speechless.

It was exactly the kind of thing Jiang Youli would do, to use the school-wide broadcast to say, “I will tear their mouth off.” It wasn’t the first time Jiang Youli had done something like this, anyway.

Tan Yushan’s headache worsened.

Now that the broadcast was on, every teacher and student in the school would know what had happened.

Jiang Youli was truly causing an uproar.

Tan Yushan said, “I have something to tell everyone.”

The whole class looked at Tan Yushan.

“I have learned from both Jiang Youli and Lu Yaoyi that this matter of sexual harassment was a misunderstanding,” Tan Yushan said, looking at Lu Yaoyi. “Isn’t that right, Lu Yaoyi?”

The whole class’s eyes were fixed on Lu Yaoyi.

After a few seconds of silence, Lu Yaoyi nodded.

Tan Yushan was very satisfied that Lu Yaoyi understood him. “Misunderstandings can sometimes destroy a person. Classmate Lu Yaoyi and Classmate Jiang Youli are innocent. No one is to discuss this matter again, or there will be serious consequences.”

The whole class said in unison, “Understood.”

Tan Yushan said, “Good.”

With that, he quickly walked out of the classroom and headed to the broadcasting room to catch the person responsible.

The dean of students also found out about the incident.

As a result, Jiang Youli was caught and sent to the field to stand as punishment, along with the head of the broadcasting station, who had reluctantly opened the door for Jiang Youli.

The head of the broadcasting station was an Omega senior from Class 2-8.

The Omega senior was crying and feeling wronged while standing as punishment. Jiang Youli asked the dean to let the Omega senior go back to class and said she would take her place and stand for two people. She knew the Omega senior was in trouble because of her, and she apologized to her sincerely, showing good remorse.

Although she was lawless and often caused trouble, she wasn’t a heartless person who lacked all reason. She knew right from wrong.

The dean of students agreed.

The Omega senior, with permission, left the field crying.

Jiang Youli, on the other hand, was lectured and punished to stand for two class periods.

Every student at Jiangcheng No. 1 High School knew what kind of personality Jiang Youli had.

What Jiang Youli said on the broadcast did have a somewhat deterrent effect. Although many students chose to believe Jiang Youli—after all, harming an Omega was indeed a very serious crime, and if Jiang Youli had truly harmed Lu Yaoyi, she would be at the police station—many students still didn’t believe her.

They wouldn’t talk about it openly, but they would still gossip about it in private.

And they felt very sorry for Lu Yaoyi.

How could she not be pitied when she was targeted by a good-for-nothing student like Jiang Youli?

She was so pitiful.

They also felt especially heartbroken for Lu Yaoyi. How could they not feel heartbroken for such an excellent, beautiful, and flawless S-class Omega being “tarnished” by Jiang Youli?

Sigh…

The two class periods quickly passed.

Jiang Youli finally returned to the academic building after the last class of the morning. It was lunchtime, so there weren’t many people in the building, but a large group of people was standing in the hallway outside Class 1-1, looking like they were about to get into a gang fight.

There were Alphas, Omegas, and Betas.

Cen Ziqin and Shen Yichuan were there too, all waiting for Jiang Youli.

“Hey!”

A male Omega waved at Jiang Youli. “Boss!”

His name was Chen Huaian, and he was a good friend and classmate of Jiang Youli’s.

Jiang Youli walked over to them.

“A-You,” Cen Ziqin said, “how was your two-period punishment?”

Cen Ziqin and Shen Yichuan had gone to the broadcasting room with Jiang Youli earlier. But Jiang Youli wanted to take responsibility for her actions and didn’t want to drag them down with her, so she told them to leave first. As for the broadcasting station head, there was nothing she could do about it.

Only the broadcasting station head had the key to open the broadcasting room door.

Jiang Youli shrugged. “It was alright.”

Anything was fine as long as it wasn’t a punishment like Tan Yushan’s where she had to write a hundred obscure words.

“A-You, now no one will dare to talk about you and Lu Yaoyi,” the female Omega Tao Zhiyi said with a laugh. “Your school-wide broadcast was very effective.”

Jiang Youli didn’t seem to care much. “Who knows? I’m hungry.”

She walked ahead. “Let’s go eat.”

After lunch, Jiang Youli returned to the classroom.

She shared a desk with Chen Huaian, and her seat was in the last row by the window.

For three years in middle school, the two seats in the last row by the window were always taken by Jiang Youli and Chen Huaian. It was as if they had bought the seats; no one ever dared to compete for them. Anyway, their grades were always at the bottom.

It was normal for them to sit in the back.

Jiang Youli walked to her seat, sat down, and put her two long legs on the table.

“Boss,” Chen Huaian said, sitting next to Jiang Youli, “wanna play a ranked game?”

Jiang Youli took out her phone and headphones. “You play by yourself.”

Chen Huaian said, “Alright.”

Jiang Youli swept her long hair to the side, put on her headphones, and prepared to listen to music.

Chen Huaian casually glanced at the back door and saw Lu Yaoyi gracefully walking in. He had to admit that Lu Yaoyi was a rare and breathtaking beauty. Even as an Omega, he almost couldn’t help but be captivated by her.

If he were an Alpha, he would definitely pursue Lu Yaoyi.

He poked Jiang Youli’s shoulder. “Boss.”

Jiang Youli said, “What?”

“Why does Lu Yaoyi look like nothing happened?” Chen Huaian asked, looking at Lu Yaoyi. “Doesn’t she care at all that people are saying you forced her?”

Jiang Youli was speechless.

Chen Huaian always had to bring up a touchy subject.

Jiang Youli followed Chen Huaian’s gaze and saw Lu Yaoyi sitting in her seat. Lu Yaoyi didn’t seem affected by the incident at all. It was as if she truly didn’t care about people saying that Jiang Youli had forced herself on her.

Jiang Youli twitched her lips. “Who knows what’s going on in her head?”

Even if Lu Yaoyi didn’t care about what others said, Jiang Youli did. It made it seem like she liked Lu Yaoyi.

“Boss,” Chen Huaian said, “please don’t get mad at what I’m about to say…”

Jiang Youli glanced at Chen Huaian. “Go on.”

“Lu Yaoyi is so beautiful,” Chen Huaian said, smiling dreamily at Lu Yaoyi’s back. “She was beautiful before she differentiated, and now that she’s an S-class Omega, she’s even more beautiful. Even I, an Omega, want to date her.”

“Chen Huaian,” Jiang Youli said, frowning slightly. “Do you have a death wish?”

Praising Lu Yaoyi’s beauty in front of her was a death wish.

Chen Huaian immediately put on a pitiful face. “Boss, you said you wouldn’t get mad.”

Jiang Youli said, “Whatever. I’ll be merciful and spare your life.”

Chen Huaian smiled sheepishly and then said, “Such an excellent S-class Omega like Lu Yaoyi… I wonder which Alpha will get her.”

Jiang Youli scoffed in disgust. “Hmph.”

“Only a blind Alpha would be interested in her, okay?”